Dietetic Internship Program
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System - Program Information
Program Information
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program has candidacy accreditation of a Dietetic Internship by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 312-899-5400; 1- 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
Fax: 312-899-4817
https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is accomplished by one of several pathways. The educational steps include:
- Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the organization that administers the exam, will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the RD exam. More information is available on the CDR website.
- Complete an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship) at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
- Pass a national examination administered by CDR. For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website.
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration
- Completing the VASNHS Dietetic Internship Program, along with completing a master’s degree, will make you eligible to sit for the RD Exam.
Note: It is ACEND's considered opinion that the program is designed to and does meet all state dietetics licensure and certification laws. If, after completing the program, you will be moving to another state with RD licensure, you will need to contact that state's board of licensure for information regarding their licensing requirements. More information about state licensure and certification is available at this link: http://www.cdrnet.org/licensure
Nevada licensure information is available at https://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Dietitian/Dietitian_-_Home/
For more information, see https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and advancing-education/information-for-students
Information for Applicants:
The VASNHS Dietetic Internship Program will accept a maximum of four trainees annually. The program contains two admissions tracks. Track one (1) will admit only individuals who have official transcripts and a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) and have earned at least a master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) or will earn a master’s degree before program start date. Track two (2) will admit individuals with official transcripts, a DPD or FDE verification statement, and who will be concurrently enrolled in a master’s degree program with an affiliated university. Track 2 is on hold for 2024-2025 school year.
The Dietetic Internship Program Director reviews all submitted applications and scores them according to the established criteria. Top ranked applicants will be interviewed, and the selection committee will complete final rankings. The VASNHS Dietetic Internship will participate in the DICAS application process and the D&D Digital systems matching process beginning with the spring 2024 application cycle.
Track 1: Internship Only
Track 2: Combined Master’s Degree/Dietetic Internship ***Track 2 is on hold for 2024-2025 school year. Only accepting applicants entering with a master's degree during spring 2024 application cycle.
Admissions Requirements:
- Applicants MUST be a US citizen to apply for the VASNHS Dietetic Internship
- Males MUST have registered for selective service or be exempt to be eligible to apply to this program. If matched to our program, males will be required to provide verification of their status through Selective Service Online Registration Search
- A minimum cumulative and DPD GPA of 3.0
- Completion of all requirements for the DPD from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics must be completed within the past three (3) years.
- If the date on the DPD Verification Statement is more than three (3) years prior to the starting date of the internship, the applicant must take or have taken 9 graduate credits in dietetics-related coursework within the last one (1) year at a university with an ACEND-accredited DPD or Coordinated Program (CP). One course in Medical Nutrition Therapy is required.
- Track 1: Earned master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) by VASNHS Dietetic Internship program start date.
- Admitted intern must pass a background check by the entry date
Application Information:
- Submit application at Dietetic Inclusive Central Application Service (DICAS). Portal will open December 2023.
- Resume or CV
- Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) transcripts demonstrating completion of all prerequisites
- An original, signed copy of the DPD Verification Statement must be provided to the Internship Director before the beginning of the program
- Track 1: Official transcripts from earned/in-progress master’s degree program.
- Three letters of recommendation. Two should be from college professors/instructors and one from a work supervisor. Please choose individuals that can adequately assess your abilities to perform in a dietetic internship and as a Registered Dietitian.
- Work and/or volunteer experience indicating exposure and commitment to the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- Personal statement (up to 1,000 words) answering the following questions:
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- Why are you interested in the VASNHS Dietetic Internship program?
- Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career,
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
- All applicants must be registered with the computer matching service, D&D Digital, and submit their prioritized ranking by the established application Instructions for computer matching are provided on the program and D&D Digital websites.
- Candidates for admission will be scheduled for an interview with our selection committee via face-to-face or virtual interview (to be scheduled following review of complete application)
- DD214 form if you are a Veteran
Computer Matching Information:
Applicants to Dietetic Internships (DI) must participate in computer matching through D&D Digital Systems. The deadline date for the Fall 2024 computer match is February 15, 2024. There is a $65.00 charge for computer matching that is due with the applicant's registration.
VASNHS DI is program code 1059.
Students will be able to access the D&D Digital Systems Web site on match day to review their personal matching results. Students receiving a match must accept/reject the match no later than 5:00pm on that Appointment day.
D&D Digital Systems, Inc. contact information:
D&D Digital Systems, Inc.
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-292-0490
Fax: 515-663-9427
E-Mail: dnd@netins.net
https://www.dnddigital.com/
VA Southern Nevada Health Care System
About the Hospital
The VA Southern Nevada Health Care System (VASNHS) serves over 240,000 Veterans throughout southern Nevada and has over 3,000 employees. The North Las Vegas VA Medical Center and seven community-based outpatient clinics serve Veterans in Las Vegas, Pahrump, and Laughlin, NV. The North Las Vegas VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that trains healthcare professionals in 38 degree and certificate programs.
